Those who are living in Kochi/Ernakulam might have heard
about this couple atleast once. They have been the subject of numerous newspaper
articles and television shows. If I tell you that this book is about a Vijayan-Mohana
couple who run the tea shop called ‘Balaji Tea Stall’, in Salim Rajan Road, Kathrukkadavu,Ernakulam,
it might not ring a bell. But if I rephrase my statement a bit and emphasise
again ‘this’ is ‘that couple’ who use the savings out of their earnings from
their tea stall to fund for their world travel, I’m pretty sure that atleast
some of you will recollect their story.’Vijayanteyum Mohanyudeyum Loka
Yathrakal’, as the title suggests is an account of some of the travels done by
this lovely couple.
The book starts off depicting the childhood of Vijayan
and how he was fond of travels right from his school days. He also recollects his
love for movies and his spendthriftness during his early years. The turning
point in Vijayan’s life as he himself has recalled in this book happens after
the entry of Mohana into his life.The next few chapters are short descriptions
about the various travels they have made till date.
Coming to the positives, the book is highly readable and is
totally unpretentious. There is no attempt to portray the couple as overtly virtuous
or create an artificial halo around the couple.Vijayan and Omana have been
honest enough to confess their limitations and the mistakes which they have
made in life. So, when Vijayan says that he has been highly indisciplined till
he met Omana or when she recalls about the bad experiences she had to face soon
after her marriage, the reader can totally relate to it.The language is quite
simple and conversational and the narrative smooth and crisp.
The production quality of the book(Vee cee Books Kochi
and Anaswara Offset Printers,Ernakulam) is top notch and the beautiful pictures
which have been included in the book also enhance the reading experience.
On the downside, though this book belongs to the ‘travelogue’
genre, descriptions of places and the historical aspects behind these places hardly gets place in this book.Avid travel
readers will find this book a tad disappointing.Instead, if you approach this
book as memoirs of Vijayan and Omana and their life experiences, you can finish
reading this one with a smile on your face.I'm giving this book a 3 out of 5.
-nikhimenon
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